Non-Tariff Barriers

Complaint

Complaint number

NTB-000-723  

NTB Type

7.4. Costly procedures  

Complaint

Drivers are experiencing long delays in processing of the maize export permits in Zambia. It takes more than 90 days for permits to be processed by the authorities causing drivers to exceed their 90 day limit in Zambia.Once drivers reach this limit, they are required to buy work permits at a very high cost of $225. This impacts heavily on already small margins.  

Status note

Zambia reported that the Ministry of Agriculture through the Department of Agribusiness and Marketing is responsible for facilitating trade through the issuance of Control of Goods Import and Export Permits for Agriculture Commodities. The process of issuance of permits starts and is completed within a period of 24 hours. Maize Grain is an agricultural commodity whose export is subject to the Control of Goods Act. Export Permits, Control of Goods, for maize are processed within 24 hours. Delays previously reported were an isolated incident that may have been caused by externalities at play then. The current status is that Export Permits, Control of Goods, for maize are processed within 24 hours. We propose that this be considered resolved.  

Progress update note

1. On 19th September 2017, Zambia reported that processing of permits now takes between 1 day and maximum 48 hours therefore this is no longer a NTB. South Africa are requested to expedite consultations to allow closure of this NTB.



During the 15th meeting of the SADC Sub Committee of Trade facilitation, held in may 2017, Zambia reported that the ban on export of maize had been lifted on 15th May through a Ministerial Statement. She explained that the restriction was imposed during shortage of maize which has now been lifted. South Africa requested time to confirm with the complainant before the NTB could be considered resolved. The meeting requested Zambia to provide the Ministerial Statement lifting the ban. Further , Zambia should send a letter to the Secretariat on the lifting of the ban for circulation to Member states .  

Policy or regulatory NTB

No 

Location

Zambia: All ports of entry (Other)  

Reporting Country or Region

South Africa  

Country specific trade issue

No  

Date of incident

2016-09-06  

Status

Resolved  

Date of resolution

2018-01-25  

Product Description

All products

Computer-assisted translation

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• Arabic
• French
• Portuguese

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Total value

0  

Date reported

2016-09-08 10:21  

Modified

2018-02-08 23:14